Topic: Ministry for All Ages

Churches are one of the only institutions in our culture that have the potential of gathering three, four or five generations of people for common experiences and purpose. But we live in a culture that pits those generations against each other instead of acknowledging the benefits of working together. We will consider how we can reframe the culture’s view of aging in order to support spiritual growth and advocacy that has implications for the physical, mental and spiritual development of all.

Facilitator: The Rev. Beth Long-Higgins

Beth joined the staff of United Church Homes in 2013 following six years as a member of the UCH Board of Directors. She was named the founding director of the Parker Center of Abundant Aging in 2017 and is currently VP of Engagement. Prior to her work at UCH, she served as co-pastor for 25 years together with her spouse, Dave, at David’s UCC in Canal Winchester and Bethany UCC in Louisville, KY. She is a member of the American Society on Aging, serving on the Ageism and Culture Advisory Council and is a trained facilitator with the National Center to Reframe Aging with the Gerontological Society of America. She also serves on the board of trustees at Heidelberg University, volunteers with the ecumenical youth group in Delaware through Zion, UCC, her home church and serves on the board of the Delaware County non-profit, SourcePoint, which serves older adults.